Dibrugarh: Two men suspected of being involved in cattle theft were killed after the vehicle they were travelling in crashed into a road divider on NH-37 at Khowang in Assam’s Dibrugarh district in the early hours of Saturday.
The accident occurred near Heritage Naga Dhaba at around 3 am, according to preliminary information.
The deceased have been identified as Arman Ahmed, a resident of Chaulkhowa, and Biki Chetia of Barua Changmai village in Dimow. Chetia was reportedly driving the vehicle when it collided with the divider at high speed.
Police sources said the vehicle was allegedly carrying four cattle suspected to have been stolen from Demow Bengali village.
Another person, identified as Ritu Ali, who was also allegedly involved in the incident, sustained critical injuries in the accident. He was subsequently shifted to a medical facility for treatment.
Three of the four cattle being transported in the vehicle also died in the collision. The dead animals reportedly included a pregnant cow and two calves.
A police official said investigators were looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident and alleged that some cattle thieves had increasingly been using luxury vehicles to transport cattle during the night.
The official alleged that such vehicles were used to pick up stray cattle found along roadsides, though the circumstances of the present case remain under investigation.